Food Product Scale and Related In-Store Random Weight Item Transaction System with Rfid Capabilities

ABSTRACT

A random weight item transaction system include a scale with label RIFD tag functionality, service person RFID tag functionality and customer RFID tag functionality. A slicer in proximity to the scale may include service person and bulk food product RFID functionalities. The scale may make weigh transaction data available to a computerized checkout system via a communications link or via writing the information to the label RFID tag.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.10/609,446, filed Jun. 27, 2003.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to scales of the type commonlyused in groceries and supermarkets for weighing and pricing randomweight items in the nature of food products such as meats and produceand, more particularly, to scales incorporating RFID functionality.

BACKGROUND

Perishable food departments, such as deli departments in stores,commonly utilize slicers to slice food product and scales to weigh andprint labels for the sliced food product. Currently the scales printlabels with a bar code thereon that can be scanned by a bar code scannerat checkout. With the development of RFID tags, there is a need for arandom weight scale and related transaction system operable with suchRFID tags.

SUMMARY

A scale and related system with RFID capabilities enables random weightitems to be priced and handled through checkout using an RFID tagassociated with a label applied to the weighed item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of one embodiment of a random weight itemtransaction system;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective of an exemplary deli department;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of an exemplary scale including service personRFID tag detection, customer RFID tag detection and label RFID tagcapability;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exemplary scale;

FIG. 5 is a scale schematic showing a label supply;

FIG. 6 is a schematic of another embodiment of a random weight itemtransaction system;

FIG. 7 is a schematic of another embodiment of a random weight itemtransaction system; and

FIG. 8 is an embodiment of a random weight item transaction systemincluding a back room package wrapping machine with an integrated scale.

DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment a basic store random weight itemtransaction system 100 contemplated herein includes one or more scales18 with RFID capability and one or more food product slicers 22 withRFID capability. The scales may typically be located on or above acounter 12 (as may be formed atop a refrigerated food product displayunit) in the deli department having a customer side 14 and a serviceperson side 16. The slicers may be located atop another counter locatedat the service person side 16 of the counter 12. Communications areprovided between the slicers 22 and the scales 18, either through thestore computer system 80 or directly as reflected by communications path82. Likewise, communications between the scales 18 and the point-of-sale(P.O.S.) computer 84 and its associated checkout terminals 86 may beprovided through the store computer 80 or directly. The illustratedcommunications paths may be hard-wired paths, wireless or combinationsof the two. The store computer system 80 may be located within the storeor may be formed by a computer network including portions outside thestore, such as a centralized store computer system used for multiplestores in different locations. The point-of-sale computer 84 could alsobe integrated with the store computer 80.

Each slicer 22 may include RFID capability 90 for detecting a serviceperson RFD tag and an RFID capability 92 for detecting the food productRFID tag associated with a food product being sliced. For example, eachloaf of meat or cheese product may have a manufacturer originated RFIDtag incorporated into one end of the packaging thereof so that the foodproduct RFID tag stays with the loaf until the entirety of the loaf hasbeen sliced and distributed to customers. Such RFID tags are identifiedherein as “bulk-product RFID tags.” Each service person could also wearan RFID tag while working in the deli, as will be described in greaterdetail below. While RFID capabilities 90 and 92 are shown as differentparts of the slicer 22, it is recognized that a single RF detectionsystem of each slicer 22, with a single RF transponder, might be usedfor both purposes.

Each scale 18 may include an RFID capability 32 for detecting a serviceperson using the scale and an RFID capability 94 for detecting acustomer being serviced by the scale. An RFID capability 96 for use inconnection with labels output by a printer associated with the scale mayalso be provided, as will be described in greater detail below. WhileRFID capabilities 32, 94 and 96 are shown as different parts of thescale 18, it is recognized that a single RF detection system of eachscale 18 might be used for all of these purposes.

For the sake of the following exemplary discussion, it is assumed thatcommunications take place through the store computer system 80.

In one contemplated operation, when a service person places a foodproduct on a slicer 22 to perform a slicing operation, the RFIDcomponent 90 detects the service person's RFID tag, which uniquelyidentifies the service person, and the RFID component 92 detects thebulk-product RFID tag of the food product placed on the slicer 22. Theservice person and the specific food product can thereby be linked andthis information is forwarded to the store computer system 80, whichmaintains a list or database of open slice/weigh transactions. A timestamp may also be associated with the linked service person and foodproduct. Upon the store computer's receipt of the information from theslicer 22, a slice/weigh transaction is opened for the service person,and the identity of the specific food product is linked to the serviceperson for that slice/weigh transaction. The bulk-product identifier mayalso be incorporated into the slice/weigh transaction data, enabling thesource of the food product to be tracked back to the specific loaf fromwhich it came (as well as any other source details that might havepreviously been associated with the bulk-product identifier). When theservice person has completed slicing, and subsequently moves to a scale18 to weigh the sliced food product, the RFID component 32 of the scale18 detects the service person's RFID tag, logs the service person intothe scale and communicates with the store computer 80 to retrieve openslice/weigh transactions for that service person. Any such openslice/weigh transactions are presented on a display 28 (FIG. 2) of thescale 18, primarily as identifying the food product associated with eachsuch open transaction, enabling the service person to select one of thetransactions, which serves as an identification to the scale 18 of thefood product being weighed. If needed, the service person can alsomanually open a new transaction in the event of, for example, weighingof a pre-sliced food product or a pre-processed food product (such aspotato salad or bean salad or cole slaw). The scale 18 can then retrievefrom a pricing database (stored internal to the scale or stored at thestore computer system 80 level) the appropriate price per unit weightfor the product being weighed. Where the scale includes the RFIDcomponent 94, which is provided to identify a unique RFID tag associatedwith each customer (in the form of a frequent shopper RFID card forexample), a customer display 29 (FIG. 2) on the scale 18 may advise thecustomer to place scan his/her card in proximity to the scale forreading. The identification of the customer may be used in connectionwith the retrieval of price from the pricing database. For example,where a tiered pricing system is used for products within the store, theprice per unit weight for the item being weighed may be set based inpart upon the pricing tier assigned to the identified customer. Theidentification of the customer may also be used to select incentives,such as coupons, that will be delivered or communicated to the customer(as by printing on a label or ticket or displaying on display 29).

At the completion of the weighing and pricing operation, the scale 18effects output of a product pricing label that can be applied to thefood product. The slice/weigh transaction is then removed from, ormarked as completed in the open slice/weigh transaction list of thestore computer system 80 so that the transaction will no longer beretrieved for that service person when logged into a scale. Ascontemplated herein, the scale prints information such as product name,price per unit weight and total price on the label, but each labeloutput also includes an RFID tag incorporated therein, which will beused for checkout purposes when the customer has completed his/hershopping experience.

Where the label RFID tag is a read only tag storing a unique tag number,the RFID component 96 of the scale reads the tag number of the labelRFID tag incorporated in the label that will be output for thetransaction. The scale 18, or store computer 80, links the tag number ofthe label RFID tag to labeling transaction data (e.g., the product andthe price for the labeling transaction, and perhaps incentive offerinformation and a time stamp) and this information is forwarded on tothe point-of-sale computer system 84, which maintains a database oflabeling transactions. When the customer subsequently checks out, thelabel RFID tag located on the label applied to the food product isdetected by an RF detection unit at checkout, and the product and priceinformation is retrieved from the labeling transaction database,enabling the price of the product to be incorporated into the customer'scumulative checkout price. Once the checkout transaction is completed,the labeling transaction can be removed from, or marked as completed inthe labeling transactions database of the point-of-sale computer system84.

Where the label RFID tag is a read/write tag, the scale RFID component96 may actually write a unique number to the label RFID tag. The scale18, or store computer 80, links the tag number written to the label RFIDtag to labeling transaction data and this information is forwarded on tothe point-of-sale computer system 84 as described above. In anothervariation the RFID component 96 may write the labeling transaction data(e.g., product, price per unit weight and total price) to the label RFIDtag, enabling the information to be read from the label RFID tag by anRF tag reader at checkout.

In another contemplated embodiment, the slicer 22 may include anadditional RFID functionality 400 and the scale 18 may include anadditional RFID functionality 402. At the slicer 18, the food productmay be sliced onto a tray or wrapping paper 404 having a an RFID tag 406that may be read only or read/write. Having read the bulk-food productRFID tag via function 92 the scale may either write an identificationnumber to the tray RFID tag 406 (in the case of read/write RFID tag) orread the identification number from the RFID tag (in the case of readonly RFID tag). The scale 18 or store computer 80 then link thebulk-food product identifier, food product identity and service personidentity to the identification number of the RFID tag 406 (as in adatabase) and makes the information available to the scales 18. When theservice person takes the tray or wrapping paper 404 with the foodproduct thereon to the scale for a weighing operation, the RFID function402 of the scale reads the identification number 406 of the scale and isthereby able to retrieve the information about the food product beingweighed. Output of a label and label RFID tag can then proceed per thepreviously described operation. In the tray embodiment the tray could bereused for multiple slice-weigh transactions.

Referring to FIG. 2, a scale 18 located atop the counter 12 is shown,and multiple service person RF identification units 20 separate from thescale are shown. In the illustrated embodiment a single scale 18 isshown, but per FIG. 1 multiple scales may be provided. The RFidentification units 20 may take the form of wrist-band type units, orother structures, that are worn proximate to the hands of the servicepersons (not shown). The scale is adapted for enabling multiple servicepersons to utilize the scale. Typically such multiple service personsmove around on the service person side 16 of the counter 12, interactingwith customers, slicing food products at slicers 22 and then using thescale or scales 18 to weigh and label the sliced food products.

The scale 18 includes a weighing station 24 for receiving items to beweighed and having an associated mechanism, such as a load cell locatedinternal of the scale housing, for producing weight indicative signalswhen items are placed on the weighing station 24. The scale 18 alsoincludes an input device 26, which in the illustrated embodiment takesthe form of a plurality of input keys or buttons located alongside anoperator display screen 28. A touch-screen type display could also beused. Also shown is a customer display screen 29. The scale includes acontroller 30 (FIG. 3) operatively connected to the input device 26 andthe mechanism. Communication link 44 is provided for communication withstore computer system 80, slicers 22 and point-of-sale computer system84 per FIG. 1.

The scale 18 includes RF detection system 32 (FIG. 3) outputting an RFdetection field 34 in proximity to the input device 26 for detecting thepresence of service person RF identification units 20 near the inputdevice 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the RF detection field 34defines a limited detection range. In one example the detection rangemay be no more than twelve inches from the input device 26 (such as inthe range of six to twelve inches). In another example the detectionrange may be no more than eighteen inches from the input device 26. Thelimited detection range enables multiple service persons to repeatedlymove back and forth past the scale 18 without having the RF detectionsystem detect their respective RF identification units 20 until a givenservice person takes an action indicative of an intent to use the scale18 by moving the hand having the associated RF identification unit 20toward the input device 26 and within the limited detection range of theRF detection field 34.

In the system 10, the service person RF identification units 20 (alsoreferred to as service person RFID tags) may be passive, read only RFidentification units 20 that are powered by the RF detection field 34output by the scale 18. In other words, each RF identification unitincludes a coil across which an electrical signal is induced orotherwise developed when it is positioned in the RF detection field.That electrical signal is used to power the unit, causing it to becomeactive when it is within the RF detection field 34. The unit 20 uses animpedance modulation technique to transfer information back to thetransmit/receive coil 36 (FIG. 3) of the scale. The informationtransmitted might typically be a unit specific code or number stored inmemory of the unit 20. An example of a suitable RF identification unitthat could be used is the e5530 unit available from Atmel in San Jose,Calif. (www.atmel.com), in which case each unit comes preprogrammed witha unique code stored in programmable read only memory. The e5530 maytypically be used with an RF detection field 34 generated at a frequencybetween 100 kHz and 450 kHz. It is recognized that wide variations infrequency are possible depending upon the nature of the RF detectionunit and the desired detection range, with higher frequencies typicallybeing used to enable greater detection ranges. In one embodiment, the RFdetection field 34 is generated at 125 kHz. Once the e5530 is placed inthe RF detection field 34 and powered up as a result of the same, itbegins transmitting its unique code via impedance modulation whichdampens the RF signal of the detection field enabling a demodulator 38(FIG. 2) to detect the code.

In one embodiment the RF detection system 32 includes transmit/receiveunit 40 associated with transmit/receive coil 36, a timing circuit 42associated with the unit 40 and a demodulator 38 connected to unit 40.The demodulator identifies RF identification unit codes and sends themto the scale control 30. The scale control 30 may include an internaldatabase of acceptable RFID codes, or may access a remote database(e.g., the store computer) of acceptable codes via communications link44. The scale control 30 determines if a detected RFID code isacceptable and, if so, automatically performs an operator loginoperation enabling the service person wearing the RF identification unitwith the acceptable code to use the scale for an item weigh and labelprint transaction, in the manner previously described above with respectto FIG. 1. The scale may be considered to be in an idle mode, awaitinglogin, during non-use periods. After the automatic login the scale isplaced in an operating mode. In one example, during the idle mode thescale may be adapted to prevent labels from being printed, while in theoperating mode labels can be printed for weighed items.

Referring to FIG. 4, in one contemplated embodiment the transmit/receivecoil 36 is located internal of the scale housing and extends about theregion in which the user input device 26, or a portion of the user inputdevice, is located. With such an embodiment, the RF detection field 34can be controlled to have a fairly limited detection range that wouldnormally require a service person wearing an RF identification unit inproximity to his/her hand to move the hand toward or otherwise near theuser input device 26 as service persons normally do when they areweighing an item and need to enter the PLU number of the item beingweighed. In such cases, the scale control may perform the automaticoperator login as soon as an acceptable RF identification unit isdetected within the RF detection field 34. In an alternative embodimentof the scale system, rather than performing the automatic operator loginas soon as an acceptable RF identification unit is detected within theRF detection field 34, the scale could be configured to only perform theautomatic operator login after an acceptable RF identification unit isdetected within the RF detection field for at least a minimum timeduration. In one example of such an embodiment the RF identificationunits may take the form of items worn around the neck as by a chain. Inanother example the RF identification units may take the form of clip ontags that can be clipped to a shirt collar or shirt pocket. In stillanother example the RF identification units may simply be held in ashirt, coat or pants pocket.

FIG. 3 also schematically shows the label printer 46 and its associatedlabel RFID unit 96, which may be a read only RF unit or a read/write RFunit as necessary. Exemplary of a label RFID mechanism having read/writecapability is that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,246,326. FIG. 4 shows aside located housing part of the scale for containing the printingmechanism 46 and label RFID unit 96, and having an exit slot 47 forlabels. It is contemplated that the housing surrounding the label RFIDunit 96 may include suitable shielding to prevent the service person RFdetection system 32 from interfering with its operation, assuming theoperating frequencies of the two are sufficiently close that such aproblem could result. Also shown in FIG. 3 is customer RF detection unit94, which could be of similar form to the previously described RFdetection system 32. Referring to FIG. 2, the customer RF detection unitcould be oriented to output a localized RF detection field 98 on thecustomer side of the scale. It is also recognized that the RFID units 90and 92 (FIG. 1) of the slicers 22 could be similar to RF detectionsystem 32, but variations of RF detection units are possible.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a schematic drawing of the scale 18 showing itsassociated supply of labels 100 is provided. As previously noted, thelabels may incorporate RFID tags that store information (either readonly or read/write). In one embodiment each and every label includes apre-attached RFID tag. The label RF unit 96 may be enclosed within RFshielding 140, with openings to allow labels to pass through, so thatonly the RFID tag of a single label can be read or written to by theunit at any given time. In an alternative arrangement, the label RF unit96 may be positioned upstream of the print head 23 at location 160enabling the RF unit 96 to be used to identify non-functioning labelRFID tags so that the labels associated with such non-functioning tagscan be discarded. For example, in the case of a non-functioning labelRFID tag the print head 23 could be controlled to print a VOID messageon the label to be sure that the service person knows not to use thelabel and/or the scale display 28 could display a “Bad Label” message tothe service person.

In another embodiment the scale 18 includes a mechanism for selectivelyattaching RFID tags to certain labels as needed. For example, referringto FIG. 7, a label RFID tag feed unit 150 with an associated supply oflabel RFID tags may be positioned to selective move tags into positionfor attachment to the adhesive side of a label 154 after the label hasbeen removed from label stock by passing the label stock around a peelbar 152. The label RF unit 96 is shown downstream to perform aread/write operation after the RFID tag has been applied to the label,but it is recognized the label RF unit 96 could be positioned toread/write from/to the label RFID tag before it is attached to thelabel. In a further embodiment the scale 18 includes a mechanism forattaching the RFID tag to the package separate from the product labelthat is printed (e.g., as a separate label).

As previously mentioned, in the case of labels incorporating passive,read only RFID tags it is contemplated that each tag would bepre-configured to store a distinct number and the RF unit 96 would takethe form of an RF reading mechanism that outputs a localized RFdetection field in the vicinity of the labels as they exit the scale, inorder to read the number from the RFID tag of each label that isprinted. The scale would then associate the number of the read RFID tagwith the weighed product (e.g., type (e.g., PLU number), weight andprice) and make that information available to the computerized checkoutsystem (e.g., by sending the information to an appropriate database suchas the labeling transaction database), where the checkout system wouldinclude an RF reading unit (in place of or in addition to the bar codescanner) to read the number from the RFID tag of the weighed item whenpresented at checkout. The checkout system would then access a database(e.g., the labeling transaction database previously mentioned) accordingto the read label RFID number to identify the product and its price fortransaction totaling purposes. In this type of system, when one or moreincentives are associated with the product that is weighed by the scale,the incentive information can also be accessed by the computerizedcheckout system once it identifies the product type. For example, when acustomer obtains a weighed food product from the deli the customer theincentive offer may be that the customer gets some sort of pricereduction on a different food product or item (referred to as the“incentive product”). If the customer presents both the weighed foodproduct and the incentive product at checkout, the customer will begiven the price reduction. The computerized checkout system candetermine whether any of the incentive products that might be associatedwith a specific label RFID number are also presented at checkout inorder to automatically apply price adjustments, without requiring thecustomer to present any coupon. In another embodiment, where a separateincentive label or ticket is presented to the customer and it identifiesmultiple incentives, the scale may automatically link the unique numberof the RFID tag of such incentive label or ticket to the multipleincentives, and make that information available to the computerizedcheckout system, so that the incentive label or ticket can be presentedby the customer at checkout in a coupon type fashion.

In the case of labels incorporating read/write RFID tags it iscontemplated that the RF unit 96 would take the form of a RF read/writeunit to write information (e.g., an ID # or type (e.g., PLU number),weight and price) to the RFID tag, where the checkout system wouldinclude an RF reading unit to read the information from the RFID tag ofthe weighed item when presented at checkout. Incentive offer informationcould also be written to the RFID tag.

In another arrangement shown in FIG. 8 the scale may be integrated witha package wrapping machine 300 of the type commonly used to wrap itemssuch as trayed food products. Such wrapping machines 300 are typicallylocated in a back room of a meat, fish or bakery department. The machine300 includes a weighing station 302 along with two different labelmechanisms 304 and 306. Label mechanism 304 may print and apply 304 aprinted product pricing label to the package and label mechanism 306 mayapply a separate RFID label (e.g., a label incorporating an RFID tag) tothe package. Alternatively the RFID tag may be incorporated into theproduct pricing label. The wrapping machine 300 may provide the linkedlabeling transaction data for each RFID label to the point-of-salecomputer system in the manner previously described. Thus, FIG. 7 clearlycontemplates an embodiment in which the RFID tag applied to a randomweight product is not structurally tied to the printed product pricinglabel for that product. It is contemplated that the same technique couldbe used in scales 18 by providing a separate set of labels for applyingthe label RFID tags, although such an arrangement would necessitate aservice person having to apply two labels to a package rather than one.As used herein, the term “label” is to be broadly construed asencompassing any form of media (e.g., paper, plastic etc.) that can beattached to the product package (e.g., typically by an adhesive on oneside of the media).

Although certain embodiments have been described and illustrated indetail it is to be clearly understood that the same is intended by wayof illustration and example only and is not intended to be taken by wayof limitation. For example, while the use of passive type RFidentification units 20 is described, active, self powered RFidentification units could be used in some cases.

Moreover, while the illustrated embodiment reflects a deli system withseparate scales 18 and slicers 22, it is contemplated that the delisystem may make use of a legal for trade slicer that includes its ownweighing station. Referring to FIG. 6, the legal for trade slicers 200may be linked to countertop customer displays 202 either directly orthrough the store computer for enabling the customer to view the priceinformation. In addition to including service person RFID detection andbulk food product RFID detection, as per slicers 22 of FIG. 1, the legalfor trade slicers 200 (FIG. 6) may include a label printer andassociated label RFID unit. Alternatively, the label printer and RFIDunit may be incorporated into the countertop customer displays 202.

1. In a store, a computerized random weight items transaction systemcomprising: a scale configured for communication with a computerizedcheckout system, the scale including a weighing station for receivingitems to be weighed and having an associated mechanism for producingweight indicative signals when items are placed on the weighing station,a pricing control operable to establish a price for a weighed item basedin part upon a weight indicative signal produced for the weighed item, asupply of labels and a supply of label RFID tags, a label RF unitpositioned for reading label RFID tags, wherein the scale is adapted tooutput a label so as to enable application of an associated label RFIDtag to the weighed item, in connection with the label that is output thelabel RF unit detects an identification number stored in the associatedlabel RFID tag, the identification number is linked to transaction dataincluding at least total price and weighed item identity, and the linkedidentification number and transaction data is made available to thecomputerized checkout system, the computerized checkout system includesat least one RF unit for detecting the identification number of thelabel RFID tag when the weighed item is presented at checkout, and thecomputerized checkout system accesses the transaction data linked to theidentification number for adding the total price to a checkouttransaction total.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the scale furtherincludes a service person RF detection unit for detecting a serviceperson RFID tag.
 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising: at leastone food product slicer located in a vicinity of the scale, the slicerconfigured for communicating information to the scale, the slicerincluding at least one RF unit for detecting service person RFID tagsand for detecting bulk food product RFID tags associated with productsbeing sliced by the slicer, upon detection of a service person RFID tagand a bulk food product RFID tag, service person identity is linked to abulk food product identifier and the linked service person identity andbulk food product identifier are made available to the scale, when thescale detects a service person RFID tag the scale accesses bulk foodproduct identifier information linked to the service person and displaysthe information on a display of the scale.
 4. The system of claim 3wherein the scale is configured with a user input device enabling theservice person to select from among bulk food product identifierinformation displayed for the service person, for identifying to thescale the food product to be weighed.
 5. The system of claim 3 whereinthe slicer is connected to the scale through a store computer, the storecomputer maintains an open slice/weigh transactions database includingthe linked service person identity and bulk food product identifier, thescale requests information from the database via communication with thestore computer.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein upon output of thelabel from the scale, the linked service person identify and bulk foodproduct identifier is either removed from the open slice/weightransactions database or marked as closed in the open slice/weightransactions database.
 7. The system of claim 2 wherein the scaleincludes a customer RF detection unit for detecting customer RFID tags.8. The system of claim 7 wherein pricing information for the weigheditem is set in part based upon identity of the customer as detected viathe customer RFID tag.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the supply oflabels and the supply of label RFID tags are integrated, the label RFIDtags being preattached to the labels.
 10. The system of claim 1 whereinthe supply of labels and the supply of RFID tags are separate, the scaleincludes a print mechanism for printing on labels, and the associatedlabel RFID tag is attached to the label by the scale after printing ofthe label.
 11. The system of claim 1 wherein the label that is outputincludes pricing information printed thereon by a printer mechanismwithin the scale.
 12. The system of claim 1 wherein the scale isintegrated with a food product slicer.
 13. The system of claim 1 whereinthe scale forms part of a package wrapping machine located in a backroom of the store.
 14. In a store, a computerized random weight itemstransaction system comprising: a scale configured for communication witha computerized checkout system, the scale including a weighing stationfor receiving items to be weighed and having an associated mechanism forproducing weight indicative signals when items are placed on theweighing station, a pricing control operable to establish a price for aweighed item based in part upon a weight indicative signal produced forthe weighed item, a supply of labels and a supply of label RFID tags, alabel RF unit along a label path for writing information to label RFIDtags, wherein the scale is adapted to output a label so as to enableapplication of an associated label RFID tag to the weighed item, inconnection with the label that is output, the label RF unit writes anidentification number to the label RFID tag, the identification numberis linked to transaction data including at least total price and weigheditem identity, and the linked identification number and transaction datais made available to the computerized checkout system, the computerizedcheckout system includes at least one RF unit for detecting theidentification number of the label RFID tag when the weighed item ispresented at checkout, and the computerized checkout system accesses thetransaction data linked to the identification number for adding thetotal price to a checkout transaction total.
 15. The system of claim 14wherein the supply of labels and the supply of label RFID tags areintegrated, the label RFID tags being preattached to the labels.
 16. Thesystem of claim 14 wherein the supply of labels and the supply of RFIDtags are separate, the scale includes a print mechanism for printing onlabels, and the associated label RFID tag is attached to the label bythe scale after printing of the label.
 17. The system of claim 14wherein the label that is output includes pricing information printedthereon by a printer mechanism within the scale.
 18. The system of claim14 wherein the scale is integrated with a food product slicer.
 19. Thesystem of claim 14 wherein the scale forms part of a package wrappingmachine located in a back room of the store.
 20. In a store, acomputerized random weight items transaction system comprising: a scaleconfigured for communication with a computerized checkout system, thescale including a weighing station for receiving items to be weighed andhaving an associated mechanism for producing weight indicative signalswhen items are placed on the weighing station, a pricing controloperable to establish a price for a weighed item based in part upon aweight indicative signal produced for the weighed item, a supply oflabels and a supply of label RFID tags, a label RF unit along a labelpath for writing information to label RFID tags, wherein the scale isadapted to output a label so as to enable application of an associatedlabel RFID tag to the weighed item, in connection with the label that isoutput, the label RF unit writes transaction data including at leasttotal price and weighed item identity to the label RFID tag, thecomputerized checkout system includes at least one RF unit for readingthe transaction data from the label RFID tag when the weighed item ispresented at checkout, and the computerized checkout system adds theread total price to a checkout transaction total.
 21. The system ofclaim 20 wherein the supply of labels and the supply of label RFID tagsare integrated, the label RFID tags being preattached to the labels. 22.The system of claim 20 wherein the supply of labels and the supply ofRFID tags are separate, the scale includes a print mechanism forprinting on labels, and the associated label RFID tag is attached to thelabel by the scale after printing of the label.
 23. The system of claim20 wherein the label that is output includes pricing information printedthereon by a printer mechanism within the scale.
 24. The system of claim20 wherein the scale is integrated with a food product slicer.
 25. Thesystem of claim 20 wherein the scale forms part of a package wrappingmachine located in a back room of the store
 26. A food product scalecomprising: a weighing station for receiving a food item to be weighed;a label printer positioned along a label path for printing indicia onlabels; a label RF unit positioned for reading and/or writing label RFIDtags; a controller operatively connected with each of the weighingstation, the label printer and the label RF unit, the controlleroperable to establish a price for a weighed item based in part upon aweight indicative signal produced by the weighing station; wherein inconnection with weighing and pricing an item the scale is adapted tooutput a label with an associated label RFID tag having anidentification number, the label RF unit detects the identificationnumber stored in the associated label RFID tag or writes theidentification number to the associated label RFID tag, the controllerlinks the identification number to transaction data including at leasttotal price and item identity.
 27. The scale of claim 26 wherein thecontroller operates to output a transaction message, including thelinked identification number and transaction data, on a communicationslink.
 28. The scale of claim 26, further comprising at least one RFdetection unit for detecting service person RFID tags, wherein thecontroller operates to retrieve service person information upondetection of a particular service person RFID tag.
 29. The scale ofclaim 26, further comprising at least one RF detection unit fordetecting service person RFID tags and customer RFD tags, wherein thecontroller operates to retrieve service person information upondetection of a particular service person RFID tag, wherein thecontroller operates to retrieve certain information based upon customeridentity.
 30. In a store, a computerized random weight items transactionsystem comprising: a weighing station for receiving items to be weighedand having an associated mechanism for producing weight indicativesignals when items are placed on the weighing station; a pricing controloperable to establish a price for a weighed item based in part upon aweight indicative signal produced for the weighed item a supply oflabels and a supply of label RFID tags, a label RF unit positioned forreading and/or writing label RFID tags; wherein a label is output so asto enable application of an associated label RFID tag, having anidentification number, to the weighed item, in connection with the labelthat is output the label RF unit detects the identification numberstored in the associated label RFID tag or writes the identificationnumber to the associated label RFID tag, the identification number islinked to transaction data including at least total price and weigheditem identity, and the linked identification number and transaction datais made available to a computerized checkout system, the computerizedcheckout system includes at least one RF unit for detecting theidentification number of the label RFID tag when the weighed item ispresented at checkout, and the computerized checkout system accesses thetransaction data linked to the identification number for adding thetotal price to a checkout transaction total.
 31. The system of claim 30wherein the weighing station and the supply of labels, supply of labelRFID tags and the label RF unit are integrated in a common scalemechanism.
 32. The system of claim 30 wherein the weighing station ispart of a food product slicer, and the supply or labels, supply of labelRFID tags and the label RF unit are part of a separate device.